Fendros took a deep breath and let out a lamenting sigh. He was relieved that Irenya was not being reactive, but her questions were not obvious to answer. Fendros slid his arms off the table, and then looked down and away, speaking sullenly, "There were many people amongst my ancestors that would baulk at my actions. Slave owners, traditionalists, heroes..." Fendros blinked and reached to take Ahnasha's hand, "There were some that followed their hearts as I did, though. In that, I cannot honestly speak for them as a whole." Fendros straightened up and took another deep breath in through his nose. His tone became more confident, but not angry any more, "I do not know what you want me to say when you ask if I know what it means to be Dunmer. I am Dunmer, I grew up Dunmer. If being myself isn't Dunmer, then...no, I wouldn't know what it means."

While the conversation was going on, Gallus was silently leaning back in his chair, supporting one arm as he held his other hand up to his mouth. He had expected to intervene a lot more by now than he had so far. Perhaps this wasn't a bad idea after all.